by FOXSports.com

Quarterback Mark Sanchez suffered a dislocated left kneecap in practice Friday.

Sanchez, who won the starting job in the spring, fell when the knee gave out before the team's stretching exercises, the Los Angeles Times Web site said. He was carted off the field and later taken for X-rays.

"I just kind of landed awkwardly when I was throwing," Sanchez said, according to the Times. "There's no cartilage damage so it's the best-case scenario. I start rehabbing on Monday and get back as soon as possible."

Asked if he would be ready for the season opener on Aug. 30, Sanchez said, "Hope so. Got to hope so."

Head coach Pete Carroll said Sanchez would be out until at least Monday.

"(After that), we'll wait and see," he said, according to the Times. "We lucked out is what happened."

Sanchez, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior, played in seven games last season. He completed 69 of 114 passes for 695 yards and seven touchdowns with five interceptions.

Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp sit behind Sanchez on the USC depth chart.

Mustain redshirted last season after transferring from Arkansas, where he won eight games as a true freshman.

Sanchez started three games last season for an injured John David Booty and won two of them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.